These days, it’s harder than ever to know if the words on a screen or the images in a feed were actually created by a real person. With Artificial Intelligence everywhere, a cloud of doubt lingers over almost everything. When trust is missing, engagement slows. What should feel like genuine connection too often turns into what can only be called Artificial Interaction.
When it comes to the promotional product industry, new technology and the rise of work from home continues to change the way we connect with clients. We send emails instead of knocking on doors, we present over Zoom instead of in conference rooms, and yet everyone is yearning for a personal touch and the ability to spark a connection.
The challenge is clear: how do you add a human touch and make your client feel like you’re right there with them, even if you’re miles away? The solution is here. Direct mail and personalized touch points are still practical ways you can add your own unique energy into your outreach strategy to stay above the competition.
What are your unique in-person strengths?
Before you can use your in-person strengths, you must identify what they are first. In the first step, identify a time where you absolutely nailed an in-person meeting. Now jot down some of your strengths that made that meeting work so well. Was it your rapport building, quick problem-solving, or deep product and industry knowledge?
Once you understand your unique in-person strengths, you can begin to brainstorm how those can translate to your remote or mail-based touchpoints.
For example, if you shine when utilizing your strong product knowledge, a way to add that to your personalized touch points could be to send a PDF of top products for your client’s industry and explain why these products are great investments for their branding.
Your Localized Expertise
Have you considered your local knowledge as a unique strength? A distributor who knows their community can connect clients to more local opportunities. Not only can that strengthen marketing initiatives, but it also makes you stand out as the expert you are. Positioning yourself as a “boots on the ground” expert shows you’re not only an experienced and knowledgeable distributor but a trusted resource.
One way to accomplish this would be to offer introductions to event organizers or other local vendors or just sharing some insights on a popular product in your geographic area.
Direct Mail with Personal Touches
Direct mail has been the bread and butter of many successful businesses for personal outreach. But in a mailbox full of bills and generic flyers, how do you make your package or postcard stand out and feel personal? Treat your direct mail campaigns as mini in-person meetings. You must curate the feelings your client will experience when they open your mail.
Handwritten notes or letters can send a big message that their business is important to you and creates a great opportunity to show off your personality and salesman skills.
Go beyond the logo. Tailoring your direct mail whether through storied product placement or a conversation starter can help drive your prospect to see the value in your expertise. Stories help clients envision the product in action, just like you would during an in-person meeting.
Keep in mind, the biggest mistake you can make is hoping they call afterwards. Just like you, your clients are working on their next big success story. Keeping the conversation going and planning your follow-up is key.
How to Plan Your Personal Promotion
Now that you have identified presentation strengths, your best visuals, and are ready to personalize a direct mail campaign, how do you keep the momentum going and build growth? It’s easy to start strong with a few well-executed touchpoints, but without a plan, even the most promising client relationships can fade. Like any good relationship—whether remote or face-to-face—connection needs consistent nurturing. That’s where a Personal Promotion Plan comes in.
• Define a rhythm to your touchpoints.
o Decide how often you want to interact with your base and segment them out accordingly. For example, do you plan to reach out to your top clients monthly? Warm leads quarterly?
o Keep the balance between “value” and “promotion” - clients should look forward to hearing from you, not brace for another sales pitch.
o Remember to use your natural talents so your outreach feels authentic and consistent.
• Plan your year of selling
o Anchor your outreach around seasonal events and plan direct mail campaigns far enough ahead to align with your client’s own event schedules.
o Tip: Keeping an excel sheet or CRM with tasks based on the dates and times for your planned outreach will keep you on schedule and organized.
• Track your ROI
o Look for patterns—do certain clients engage more with video than phone calls? Does personalized packaging get more callbacks than generic mailers?
Finally, not all touch-points need to be sales based, sending a message or sharing an article directed to their interests can set you apart from the competition and create a more favorable memory of your business.
By creating a Personal Promotion Plan blending your in-person charm with smart, strategic remote and direct mail touchpoints, you’ll create a rhythm that not only keeps clients engaged but also grows your business year after year.
You don’t have to do it alone. ACS offers a lengthy VIP supplier list filled with diverse, high-quality self-promotion options so you can find the perfect fit for every client and campaign. Looking for seasonal or specific catalogs or idea books? We have your back. With the right tools, the right partners, and a personal approach, you can keep your business real and stand out in an increasingly artificial world.
Your personality is your best marketing asset- ACS just helps you put it in the perfect package.
Visit acsaffiliateservices.com or chat with us on how we can help you expand your success.